On Tuesday, December 11th the House of Representatives passed two bills that focus on important issues affecting the health of moms and babies in the United States — high rates of premature birth and maternal mortality. All thanks to your support!

As we reported in November, the number of babies born prematurely has increased for the third year in a row in the United States. Being born too soon can lead to serious health problems and is the leading cause of death and disability among infants. Yet more than 380,000 babies in this country are born prematurely each year. That’s why the PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2018 (S. 3029) is a major win. This bill helps support federal research and promote efforts that have been proven to help prevent premature birth.

The Preventing Maternal Deaths Act of 2017 (H.R. 1318) is another big win. Each year in the United States, about 700 women die from causes related to pregnancy. And more than 50,000 women nearly die from severe complications from labor and childbirth. H.R.1318 will provide funding to states and tribes to form and improve maternal mortality review committees. These committees include local experts on maternal, infant and public health who look into cases of maternal death and come up with ideas and solutions to prevent them from happening.

So, what’s next? The PREEMIE Act will go to the president for his signature while the maternal mortality bill moves to the Senate for review. March of Dimes is urging senators to follow the House’s lead and pass the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act. While other nations have improved their maternal mortality rates in recent years, the United States’ rate is getting worse. This is unacceptable.

With your support we can continue fighting for the health of all moms and babies. Visit our website to join our advocacy network or click on the links below to learn more about each of these bills:

Best Pregnancy Blogs 2018 winner

Subscribe

March of Dimes fights for the health of all moms and babies. We’re advocating for policies to protect them. We’re working to radically improve the health care they receive. We’re pioneering research to find solutions. We’re empowering families with the knowledge and tools to have healthier pregnancies. By uniting communities, we’re building a brighter future for us all.